The minister made his statement in response to the controversy surrounding the unpaid debt of €1.9m.

He said he had at all times sought to comply with the codes expected of his office and that the unpaid debt was due to complicated litigation surrounding the investment.

Deputy Jonathan O'Brien of Sinn Féin said Dr Reilly was attempting to sell his interest in a private, for profit, nursing home at a time when he was closing public nursing homes. He said this had an impact on the value of nursing homes.

Speaking during Leaders' Questions, Mr O'Brien said it appeared that the minister was in breach of SIPO guidelines in the period following Mr Reilly’s taking office in March 2011 until 12 January 2012.

Mr O'Brien asked Eamon Gilmore if he believed the SIPO should investigate the matter.

In response, the Tánaiste said that there are procedures in place to deal with any member of the House having private business interests.

Mr Gilmore said that the Minister for Health had outlined the manner in which he had complied with these procedures, and that he had sought the advice of SIPO and had complied with that advice.